The Panama City CRC, situated in Panama City, FL, serves as a vital re-entry facility in collaboration with the Florida Department of Corrections, focusing on integrating soon-to-be-released inmates back into society and the workforce. This facility operates with a minimum security approach, particularly catering to inmates who are part of a work release program. In this setting, inmates are transported to external "day jobs" and return to the facility in the evenings. This structure signifies a significant step towards their reintegration into society, with many individuals viewing this as their final transition before regaining their freedom. The facility comprises non-secure dormitories, where inmates are bed-checked and counted at night by correctional officers. These dormitories feature group toilets and shower areas adjacent to sleeping quarters equipped with double bunks and lockers. Notably, the facility operates on an honor system, lacking the traditional securing fence found in higher-security facilities. This setup reflects a lower level of supervision and control over inmate activities within the dormitories and the facility as a whole. However, it's important to note that inmates assigned to this facility typically pose the least risk to public safety. They are entrusted with working in the general public at approved jobs, further emphasizing the facility's focus on facilitating successful reintegration and minimizing risks associated with incarceration.
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Reentry & Treatment Facilities partner with state and local governments to provide community-based adult residential reentry services to offenders released or diverted from prison. These facilities are designed to provide structured programming with a focus on substance abuse treatment and education and changing criminal behaviors. Additional services offered at residential reentry facilities include comprehensive assessment, individual and group counseling, life-skills training, and aftercare. Ultimately, each program helps prepare residents to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
In the state system, the reentry philosophy begins with the first day of incarceration, having the inmate focus on their release preparation with 18 months remaining on their sentence. The Release Preparation Program includes classes in areas such as writing a resume, finding a job, and keeping that job. The program also includes presentations by community-based organizations that help ex-inmates find jobs and training opportunities after release.
The Inmate Transition Branch provides additional pre-release employment assistance. Many institutions hold mock job fairs to provide inmates an opportunity to practice job interview skills and to expose community recruiters to the skills available among releasing inmates. Qualified inmates may apply for jobs with companies that have posted job openings. This Branch also helps inmates prepare release folders that include a resume; certificates of completion of programs in education or other vocational training certificates, earned diplomas, and other requisite documents needed for job searches and subsequent interviews.
The reentry program also aims to provide transitional case management services. Transitional case management will consist of identifying an inmates basic and technical needs and linking him with targeted resources prior to his release. If an inmate’s primary needs for survival are initially addressed (including food, clothing and shelter), he/she will have a greater success in obtaining a job, establishing a career and maintaining a crime free quality of life.